A British Sikh television station has been fined £30,000 for broadcasting a
programme that incited members of their community to take violent action
against members of the Indian Army.

Sangat TV, a Birmingham-based satellite TV channel, was handed the penalty by Ofcom after screening a programme that was found to have “seriously” breached the regulator’s code, which must be followed by independent broadcasters.

Lt Gen Brar, who commanded a controversial 1984 military operation to clear Sikh militants from the Golden Temple in Amritsar, was attacked by four men who attempted to slit his throat.

Ofcom said Sangat TV, which is owned by a company called Regis 1, broadcast statements in a panel discussion programme which “were an indirect call to members of the Sikh community to take violent action against Lt Gen Brar [and] other members of the Indian armed forces”.

Some panellists said Lt Gen Brar deserved to be attacked and congratulated the perpetrators.